Top Schools for Taxation Programs

Read about degree programs in taxation, which are typically designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or similar field of study. Learn about the degree options at four universities, and use the list at the end of the resource to find other schools in the U.S. that offer programs in taxation.

Taxation programs are usually offered at the graduate level, frequently as a Master of Science in Taxation or Master of Taxation. Core coursework can include topics in tax planning, corporate taxation and business ethics. The programs may also help students meet the academic requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

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School Overviews

Four of the top schools in the U.S. that offer programs in taxation include the University of Southern California, Arizona State University, Villanova University and American University. Each of these schools earned high rankings from U.S. News & World Report for 2017.

University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA

School Highlight: The University of Southern California is actually home to two prestigious and closely-associated financial schools, the Marshall School of Business and the Leventhal School of Accounting, both of which offer cutting-edge coursework in accounting, taxation, and data science.

The University of Southern California (USC) is among the top 25 best universities in the country overall and is ranked 9th for its accounting graduate programs, according to U.S. News & World Report in 2017.

Located in Los Angeles, USC offers a full-time Master of Business Taxation program, as well as a part-time format designed specifically for working professionals. This is an interdisciplinary course of study that covers topics in law, economics and political influences as they relate to the field of taxation. Business professionals can stay current by attending continuing education programs and classes at the Office of Executive Education, a division of the university's business school.

Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ

School Highlight: The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University contributes significantly to a number of major research centers, including the Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology (CABIT) and the Center for Supply Networks (CaSN).

Arizona State University (ASU) is a large public institution that ranked #1 on U.S. News & World Report's list of the most innovative schools for 2017, and is also ranked 35th among all graduate business schools in the nation. The university's School of Accountancy offers a Master of Taxation that can be completed in one year of full-time study. A 2-year part-time program is also available.

Villanova University in Villanova, PA

School Highlight: Villanova boasts an impressive collection of taxation experts within its faculty, including Professor T. Keith Fogg. Fogg is acclaimed for his work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Tax Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), and the Federal Tax Clinic at Villanova Law School.

Villanova University ranked 50th on U.S. News & World Report's list of national universities for 2017, as well as 51st for best value schools. Students at this private university can pursue a Master of Taxation, an evening program taught collaboratively by faculty from both the business and law schools. Similar topics can be found in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, which includes cross-listed courses in taxation. The university also allows professional accountants to audit courses in the Master of Taxation program.

American University in Washington, D.C.

School Highlight: The business school at American University houses the Kogod Tax Center, which is dedicated to small business, entrepreneurial and middle-class tax research.

American University was ranked #74 among national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2017. Through the Kogod School of Business, students can earn a Master of Science in Taxation. The curriculum focuses on national and state tax codes in the U.S., but students also build communication skills and gain familiarity with information technology used in the field. Students who choose a full-time schedule can finish the program within one calendar year, while part-time students usually finish within two years.

Top Taxation Programs

Here are some of the other top taxation schools in the United States:

The taxation program at Baylor University in Waco, TX, offers substantial electives in non-accounting areas, through students acquire expertise in a secondary business concentration.

At Bentley University in Waltham, MA, the Accounting Center for Electronic Learning and Business Measurement (ACELAB) provides students with technological resources in professional organizational settings.

The business school at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, houses the Social Enterprise Institute, which focuses on business and financial transformation in developing countries.

The University of Illinois' Illini Center in Chicago offers a Master of Science in Taxation program that is taught by both Urbana-Champaign faculty and Chicago-based tax professionals.

The University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, offers an accelerated taxation program that allows advanced business majors to begin taking master's courses in their senior year.

At the University of San Diego in San Diego, CA, taxation and other accountancy programs focus on ethics and leadership.

For students who want to pursue graduate studies in taxation, there are numerous accredited, highly ranked schools that provide master's degrees in accounting, taxation and related fields.